I got a call and an email from a woman on Tuesday about making her son's 1st birthday cake. Since I was at work, I emailed her back immediately and gave her all of the information she requested, including a price, and said that I would call her as soon as things calmed down at the office.
Later that day, I left her a message and she called back that evening. She said she received my email and everything sounded great and we started to go over the details of the cake. Out of nowhere, she says, "Are you a teenager?" I explained that I sound kind of young but that I'm 21 and I've been decorating for four years. Her attitude totally changed and she said she'd think about it and call me back.
She looked at my website and obviously, thought I was qualified until she found out I was "young".
Oh well, she probably would have been a difficult customer anyway.
I just wanted to share my frustrations. Thanks for reading!
I know you are human and probably had hurt feelings at this (totally normal), but DON'T let it get to you! That was uncalled for and you have plenty of experience to feel confident in yourself and your work. You are right...she probably wouldn't have been a customer you would have enjoyed anyway. However, she might call you back. In that case, at least you know she has a heart and can think things through! 
Take care...and here's wishing you many more good customers!!
BESIDES!!!! I have seen people twice your senior do terrible work! Your age has nothing to do with talent. Keep your chin up!
Well, first off, let me just say that I think that is a bunch of @)(&%$#(*&. She needs to look at your work, what you have done, so on and so forth! We were all young at some point, and just because you are young, doesn't mean you are not good at what you do! I looked at your cakes and I think that you have done a marvelous job! I would have been honored to get a cake from you just by looking at the photos of the cakes you have made. Like you said, she probably would have been hard to work with anyway, but, it is not fair that someone judges you on age and not merit!
is being "young" a crime ? 
Sounds like she got intimidated by a
"young" talented person. So what if you are "young" ? is that so bad ? 
Her main concerned should be how well you would do your work (cake work). Young or old, it should not matter, as long as you can do and produce the kind of work she expected and paid you for..
That's really shallow and irrational on her part. But you know what ? it's her loss..don't worry about it..Next time she contacts you about a cake, just say "NO, I'm too busy" 
That should be a compliment to you.."young and talented and intimidating !! 
One thing I thought about - I'm sure it's not the case here - make sure you SOUND professional. I talk to people on the phone all day at work - you "learn" a lot by LISTENING to someone talk. You might have to try extra hard to SOUND mature. Your cakes are great! I wouldn't worry about her - she sounds like a pain!
Your cakes are beautiful. If anything, I would be even MORE impressed with the fact that you are so young and yet so obviously competent and professional. That is rare, and she should have snapped you up!
I got treated this way for years and years. I am 36, and JUST stopped getting carded. I was treated badly many, many times...many times when I had my baby with me (I was almost 23 and married for 2 years when we had her-planned). It used to really burn me up, then I figured they were all just stupid 
When Telemarketers call my house at night or anytime, and I happen to pick up the phone, first thing they ask is :"are your parents home"? It is very annoying , but at the same time I take it as a compliment..Being told that your young is a LOT better than being told your OLD.. I am in my mid thirties, but I sound like an 11 yr. old.!! I get away from telemarketers this way. And it's their loss...HA HA.. [b][/b]??
You do fantastic work - believe me she probably would have been a nightmare!
Is this ignorant woman blind or what? Your pics are wonderful and you are very talented. Maybe she just hasn't had a chance to call you back yet. Or maybe she just thought your prices didn't fit her budget and she didn't want to tell you that. At any rate, keep your chin up. Your work is great. As Nathanikka said, "We were all young once." Problem is that I can barely remember when that was.
diane
If anyone ever says that again, your first response should be "Excuse me??" Then you should say - "I'm sorry, were you looking for a babysitter or a cake decorator? You said you saw my work, correct? Then why are you asking me my age? I'm sorry, but I've always been told a woman never reveals her age 
"
You'll give her a little shock w/ all of that! Don't put up w/ that crap! Would it matter if you were 8 years old if you were really awesome?? Whatever!
I went to high school with two girls (twins) who started decorating cakes early in their teen years. They did beautiful work and were more reliable than many adults I know, so to me, age isn't a factor.
Sorry to hear you didn't get the order, but I think you're right that she probably would have been a pain to deal with anyway.
rachmakescakes my dear
How STUPID IS THAT!
Ya See what happens to some chixs when they DON'T grow
OLD GRACEFULLY! Just plain 
FGS! PLEASE PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR. Hopefully it's heriditery.
I would like to think that the OB i.e. OLD BAG did you a very big FAVOR! so please consider yourself lucky! very lucky!
You know what else would have caught her off guard? If you said, "are you a teenager?" If she said no, then say "Oh well how old are you?" - I think she would have been caught off guard....
Or you could also tell her, "I'm sorry ma'am, but I don't believe my age is any of your business" - or you could have just said "no, I'm not a teenager" and offered no more information than that.....
This just really riles me up for some reason....... 
Personally, after I'd checked out your web site, I wouldn't care if you were 14!
I'd be looking at the cakes instead of your age. Who cares how old someone is, when it comes to cake? 
I know! I know! Next time you talk to her, ask her if her hip measurements are over 38 inches...then when she gasps, or acts huffed because you asked, just say that you have "requirements" on how safe it is for someone to eat all those luscious calories!
Your cakes are wonderful. Don't think twice about this.
--Knox--
One thing I thought about - I'm sure it's not the case here - make sure you SOUND professional. I talk to people on the phone all day at work - you "learn" a lot by LISTENING to someone talk. You might have to try extra hard to SOUND mature. Your cakes are great! I wouldn't worry about her - she sounds like a pain!
I worked at an telephone answering service for two years so I do have really do have great telephone skills. I hated the job but it was great experience.
Thanks for all of the responses - they were hilarious! I was away from home all weekend and I just had a chance to look at CC today. You guys are great!
Agreed you are better off w/out her business. I'm 20 turning 21 in March and thus far haven't had any paying customers with cakes mostly friends and family for practice. I know I'm not the greatest, still learning only started less then a year ago. But its a matter of eye for detail and imagination and that doesn't come w/age that comes w/talent. And I personally think that is horrible for someone to judge you because of your age. Whats worse is sometimes they will judge you for the way you look as well...not what work you do. But I think its for the best because one day she'll be at a party where you made the cake and she'll see how absolutly gorgeous it is and be burned knowing she could have had an awesome cake but thought you were just "too young" because as we all know apparently if we are young we are naieve. But you'll find better customers who APPRECIATE your wonderful work!!
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